- Ciri takes the lead in The Witcher 4, marking the start of a fresh trilogy
- Unreal Engine 5 powers stunning visuals and innovative gameplay
- Full production began in late 2024; expected launch around 2026-2027
CD Projekt Red revealed the curtains from this eagerly anticipated game at the Game Awards show 2024, displaying a trailer that has left fans excited.
The long-awaited The Witcher 4 is officially in development, marking a fresh start in the series. The game promises to be everything fans loved about the Witcher world and its gripping narrative.
CEO Adam Kiciński confirmed during a 2022 financial call that The Witcher 4 would mark “the start of a new saga,” He said while outlining the long-term plans for the franchise, ” but of course now we’re reproducing the first game but we have more than one game in mind.
Our first saga consisted of three games; now we’re thinking about more than one game, but for now, we’re working on the first game from the second Witcher Saga.”
Here’s everything we know about this exciting journey into the world of monsters, magic, and moral dilemmas.
A New Hero Takes the Lead
After three games following the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher 4 will shift its focus to Ciri, a new protagonist, his adopted daughter and a powerful character in her own right. CD Projekt Red confirmed at The Game Awards 2024 that Ciri would be the star of the upcoming game.
As Game Director Sebastian Kalemba stated, “For the longest time we knew that we wanted Ciri to be the protagonist of The Witcher 4; it just felt natural to us and we believe that Ciri deserves it. In this game, we want to explore what it means to truly become a witcher by following Ciri on her Path.”
The cinematic reveal trailer provided a glimpse of the Ciri and challenges she will get to encouter during her journey. the story aims to delve into the dark and morally complex themes that The Witcher series is known for.
The trailer takes viewers on an emotional trip, began with festive vibes just to end with a gloom and despair. Ciri is shown to be arriving in a village to save a young girl from a monster, but things turn out to be cruel.
However, the portrayal of Ciri in the trailer raised questions regarding her being overpowered, the good news is that the team is aware of this aspect and has strategies to maintain the gameplay balance.
Beyond Geralt: Exploring New Boundaries
CD Projekt Red’s approach to The Witcher 4 is to innovate while respecting the foundation of its predecessors. Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski emphasized during a March 2024 earnings Q&A,
“You should not be expecting ‘The Witcher 3 in new clothing’ of sorts. Of course, we’re building on the shoulders of what came before, and on what we’ve learned, but we will be adding new gameplay elements and new mechanics that you have not seen in our previous games.”
New Technology, New Horizons
Best part is that this new installment will be utilizing the latest technology and will be powered by Unreal Engine 5, leaving behind the in-house Red engine. This shift is part of a multi-year strategic partnership with Epic Games, designed to tailor Unreal Engine for open-world experiences.
This commitment to next-gen technology underscores CD Projekt Red’s dedication to raising the bar for open-world RPGs.
A Long Road Ahead
While excitement for The Witcher 4 is palpable, fans should prepare for a lengthy wait. CD Projekt Red announced in November 2024 that the game had just entered full production. Sebastian Kalemba—lead animator at CD Project Red said,
“I’m thrilled to announce that Project Polaris has entered the full-scale production phase! With new challenges just around the corner, it’s the talented and hard-working people who make me believe we can together make the upcoming Witcher Saga a remarkable experience.”
Historically speaking, the development timelines of previous games, it’s evident that crafting a title of this scale requires time. Considering that, it’s reasonable to expect The Witcher 4 to launch no earlier than 2026 or 2027.
Platforms and Availability
CD Projekt Red has yet to confirm specific platforms for The Witcher 4. However, it’s highly likely that the game will be released on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
Depending on the development timeline, there are chances that it may launch on next-generation consoles like PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, which are speculated to arrive around 2027 or 2028.
Despite of the fact that studio has a strategic partnership with Epic Games, it has no plans for making the Witcher 4 exclusive, rather the company aims for inclusivity , ensuring that players across different platforms can access it.
The Future of the Witcher Universe
The Witcher 4 represents a significant evolution for the franchise, not only in terms of its protagonist but also in its ambition and technological foundation. By placing Ciri in the spotlight and exploring new gameplay mechanics, CD Projekt Red aims to push the boundaries of what a Witcher game can be.
As the game enters its most intensive development phase, fans eagerly await more details about this new chapter in the Witcher universe. While the wait may be long, the promise of a rich, immersive, and groundbreaking RPG ensures that the anticipation will be worth it.
Until then, players can only imagine the thrilling adventures that await in The Witcher 4.
